Let's Give the FDA More Work
A House committee this week approved legislation that would give the FDA new authority over the tobacco industry, giving the FDA the ability to regulate the sale and marketing of tobacco products such as flavored cigarettes and "light and low tar" products. A floor vote on the House of Representatives is expected soon.
Okay, the FDA is unable to inspect Chinese factories leading to the deaths of scores of people in the Baxter heparin recall debacle because it is under funded and stretched too thin. So our Supreme Court responds by making them the ultimate gatekeeper and the "great decider" as to whether drug companies are negligent (as opposed to the cute, yet silly, citizens of our country), and Congress responds by giving them even more work – regulating the behemoth this is big tobacco.
Now, incredibly, to complete the governmental insanity trifecta, we need President Bush to join in the fun. Who knew he would be the holdout? My guess is that he will find a way to oblige. He’s good like that. Maybe next week he will declare his plan that if the FDA approves a doctor – a one page Internet application by the doctor should do it - then no medical malpractice action can be brought against the doctor.
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